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Type 2 diabetes affects approximately 24 million adults in the United States, with rates continuing to rise, according to Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center. Largely preventable through diet and exercise, many safe and natural means of maintaining healthy blood sugar levels are available and can help you prevent diabetes and its many health complications. If you have diabetes, consult your doctor before making any diet or lifestyle changes.

High-Fiber Foods

High-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, seeds and whole grains, help manage blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes by slowing the digestion and absorption of sugar. A study published in the May 2012 issue of the journal "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research" found that healthy volunteers who ate snacks supplemented with fiber from psyllium and oat bran showed lower blood sugar spikes and a more prolonged release of sugar into the bloodstream after eating the snacks. Researchers concluded that adding fiber to commercially produced snack foods may improve blood sugar management and slower absorption of sugar may also improve appetite control.

Nutritional Supplements

A variety of supplements may help keep blood sugar levels within a normal range and prevent diabetes and diabetic complications. Alpha lipoic acid, a high-powered antioxidant, makes your cells more sensitive to insulin and protects nerves from oxidative damage when blood sugar levels rise. Doses of 600 to 1,200 milligrams per day are typically used for this purpose, according to CoxHealth. Chromium, a mineral that improves glucose tolerance, is found in high levels in brewer's yeast, whole grains, nuts and broccoli and is also available in supplement form. People with type 1 diabetes may have low levels of magnesium. Doses of 500 to 1,000 milligrams in supplement form help maintain healthy magnesium levels and protect against diabetic complications.

Herbal Support

Herbalists often recommend fenugreek for its ability to lower blood sugar levels. A study published in the December 2011 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Food" found that fenugreek, comprised of 32 percent insoluble fiber and 13 percent soluble fiber, decreases blood sugar spikes after meals. Researchers note that fenugreek may also be a useful food additive that could make flour and baked goods healthier and less detrimental to blood sugar management. The herb Gymnema sylvestre lowered blood sugar levels to normal in diabetic laboratory animals in a study published in the March 2012 issue of the "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry." Gymnema also provided powerful antioxidant benefits that may help reduce the damaging effects of elevated blood sugar levels.

Exercise

Exercise is one of the best natural means for controlling blood sugar levels and can reduce your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes and help manage blood sugar levels if you have diabetes, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Currently, the American Diabetes Association recommends getting 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise at least 3 days per week. A study published in the July 2012 issue of the journal "Current Sports Medicine Reports" found that resistance exercise, such as weight lifting, improves blood sugar control by improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing levels of hemoglobin A1c, or HbA1c, a blood marker that reflects blood sugar levels for three months prior to the blood test. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.